noun
- A system of folk magic and spiritual practices rooted in African American, Caribbean, and Southern traditions, involving the use of herbs, roots, charms, and rituals for healing, protection, or influence.
Usage: Also called hoodoo or rootwork; Primarily historical and cultural context; Often used in anthropological and folklore studies
Examples
- The museum exhibit explored the history of hoodooism in the American South.
- Scholars of African American culture have documented hoodooism as an important spiritual tradition.
- Hoodooism blended African, Native American, and European magical practices.
- The novel depicted characters who practiced hoodooism as a form of resistance and healing.
- Anthropologists study hoodooism to understand folk belief systems and cultural resilience.